US4017975A — Saliva ejector and chin holder therefor

Claim 1

Independent Claim 167 words

A combined saliva ejector and tongue restraint adapted to be placed within the oral cavity between the tongue and teeth, said ejector comprising, a flattened body having upper and lower portions, said body including, first and second plates in face to face contiguity, at least one of said plates being formed with a recess extending along a surface thereof that faces the other of said plates to define a suction passage between said plates in at least said lower portion, and means for holding said plates in said face to face contiguity, said body being formed with a plurality of apertures communicating with said passage, said body having a height sufficient to extend from the floor of the mouth to said teeth whereby said body may extend along inner sides of said teeth to block contact between said tongue and at least some of said teeth, and means formed in at least one of said plates for receiving a vacuum tube in communication with said suction passage.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 167 words

A combined saliva ejector and tongue restraint adapted to be placed within the oral cavity between the tongue and teeth, said ejector comprising, a flattened body having upper and lower portions, said body including, first and second plates in face to face contiguity, at least one of said plates being formed with a recess extending along a surface thereof that faces the other of said plates to define a suction passage between said plates in at least said lower portion, and means for holding said plates in said face to face contiguity, said body being formed with a plurality of apertures communicating with said passage, said body having a height sufficient to extend from the floor of the mouth to said teeth whereby said body may extend along inner sides of said teeth to block contact between said tongue and at least some of said teeth, and means formed in at least one of said plates for receiving a vacuum tube in communication with said suction passage.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 38 words

The ejector of claim 1 wherein said passage extends to said upper portion of said body, and wherein said upper portion of said body is formed with at least one suction relief aperture in communication with said passage.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 46 words

The ejector of claim 1 wherein said passage extends continuously along edges of said body from said lower portion to said upper portion of said body, said body being formed with an aperture extending through said upper portion into said passage to provide a relief port.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 60 words

The ejector of claim 1 wherein said body has two major dimensions and a minor dimension and is flattened along the direction of said minor dimension, said first and second plates being in face to face contiguity along a surface bisecting said body and transverse to said minor dimension, said plates having mating recesses that collectively define said suction passage.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 40 words

The ejector of claim 4 including flexible hinge means interconnecting said plates for movement between an open position in which said plates are mutually spaced and a closed position in which said plates are in said face to face contiguity.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 96 words

A saliva ejector comprising, first and second mutually mating body sections each having a recess formed therein, a plurality of apertures extending through at least one of said sections into said recesses, and a groove in each body section communicating with the respective recesses, means for securing said mating sections to each other with the recess and groove of one section mating with the recess and groove of the other section, said mating recesses collectively defining a suction passage and said mating grooves collectively defining a vacuum tube receiving bore adapted to receive a vacuum tube.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 96 words

A saliva ejector comprising, first and second mutually mating body sections each having a recess formed therein, a plurality of apertures extending through at least one of said sections into said recesses, and a groove in each body section communicating with the respective recesses, means for securing said mating sections to each other with the recess and groove of one section mating with the recess and groove of the other section, said mating recesses collectively defining a suction passage and said mating grooves collectively defining a vacuum tube receiving bore adapted to receive a vacuum tube.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 25 words

The ejector of claim 6 wherein each section is formed of a flat plate having said recesses extending adjacent and along edges of said plates.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 22 words

The ejector of claim 6 wherein said recesses and said passage extend along and between mutually opposite edges of said body sections.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 50 words

The ejector of claim 6 including means for connecting said sections to each other for motion from an open side by side position wherein said recesses and grooves of one section are spaced from each other to a closed position wherein said recesses and grooves define said passage and bore.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 15 words

The ejector of claim 9 wherein said means for connecting said sections comprises a hinge.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 22 words

The ejector of claim 9 wherein said means for connecting said sections comprises a flexible hinge member fixed to both said sections.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 13 words

The ejector of claim 9 wherein said sections are integral with each other.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 22 words

The ejector of claim 12 wherein said means for connecting said sections comprises a flexible hinge member integral with both said sections.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 26 words

The ejector of claim 6 wherein said means for securing said sections comprises resilient latch means having mating parts integral with respective ones of said sections.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 53 words

The ejector of claim 6 wherein said recesses extend to upper and lower portions of said body sections, some of said apertures extending into said recesses at lower body portions to provide suction and at least one of said apertures extending into said recesses at upper body portions to provide a relief port.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 20 words

The ejector of claim 6 wherein said vacuum tube receiving bore extends upwardly of said body at one end thereof.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 30 words

The ejector of claim 16 including means connecting said sections to each other for relative pivotal movement about a line parallel to the extent of said vacuum tube receiving bore.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 30 words

The ejector of claim 16 including means connecting said sections to each other for relative pivotal movement about a line parallel to the extent of part of said suction passage.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 29 words

The ejector of claim 6 wherein said bore extends along an upper edge of said body whereby said ejector will depend from a vacuum tube received in said bore.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 110 words

A saliva ejector comprising, first and second congruent plates each having an inner and outer side, at least one of said plates having a recess formed therein opening to said inner side thereof, said recess having a closed end and an open end, at least one of said plates being formed with a plurality of apertures extending into said recess, and means for connecting said congruent plates to each other with said inner sides in face to face contiguity, said recess and the other of said plates collectively defining a passage having a closed end said open end adapted to be connected to a vacuum tube and an open end.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 110 words

A saliva ejector comprising, first and second congruent plates each having an inner and outer side, at least one of said plates having a recess formed therein opening to said inner side thereof, said recess having a closed end and an open end, at least one of said plates being formed with a plurality of apertures extending into said recess, and means for connecting said congruent plates to each other with said inner sides in face to face contiguity, said recess and the other of said plates collectively defining a passage having a closed end said open end adapted to be connected to a vacuum tube and an open end.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 45 words

The ejector of claim 20 wherein said recess and said passage extend continuously along edges of said plates from upper to lower portions of said plates, different ones of said apertures extending into said recess and passage at upper and lower portions of said plates.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 12 words

The ejector of claim 20 including means for hingedly interconnecting said plates.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 19 words

The ejector of claim 22 wherein said plates and said means for interconnecting are all integral with each other.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 26 words

The ejector of claim 20 wherein said recess and passage define a relatively enlarged cylindrical opening at said open end adapted to receive a vacuum tube.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 33 words

The ejector of claim 24 including a vacuum tube adapted to be connected to a source of low pressure, said tube having an end portion received and clamped in said enlarged cylindrical opening.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 138 words

The ejector of claim 25 including a clamp having first and second opposed parts mutually spaced from each other at one end of each to define a clamp opening receiving said vacuum tube, and means for mutually interconnecting said parts at the other end of each and for urging said parts toward each other at said one end of each, an elongated tongue mounted on and extending from said first clamp part, a first handle extending from said first clamp part, and a second handle extending from said second clamp part in spaced juxtaposition to said first handle, whereby said handles may be moved toward each other to move said clamp parts away from each other to increase the size of said clamp opening for attachment and detachment of said chin holder to and from said vacuum tube.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 145 words

A chin holder adapted to be positioned upon a vacuum tube comprising, a clamp having first and second opposed parts mutually spaced from each other at one end of each to define a clamp opening adapted to receive said vacuum tube, and means for mutually interconnecting said parts at the other end of each and for urging said parts toward each other at one end of each, an elongated tongue mounted on and extending from said first clamp part, a first handle extending from said first clamp part, and a second handle extending from said second clamp part in spaced juxtaposition to said first handle, whereby said handles may be moved toward each other to move said clamp parts away from each other to increase the size of said clamp opening for attachment and detachment of said chin holder to and from said vacuum tube.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 145 words

A chin holder adapted to be positioned upon a vacuum tube comprising, a clamp having first and second opposed parts mutually spaced from each other at one end of each to define a clamp opening adapted to receive said vacuum tube, and means for mutually interconnecting said parts at the other end of each and for urging said parts toward each other at one end of each, an elongated tongue mounted on and extending from said first clamp part, a first handle extending from said first clamp part, and a second handle extending from said second clamp part in spaced juxtaposition to said first handle, whereby said handles may be moved toward each other to move said clamp parts away from each other to increase the size of said clamp opening for attachment and detachment of said chin holder to and from said vacuum tube.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 53 words

The chin holder of claim 27 wherein said first and second parts are integral with other to form a substantially C-shaped integral body having a partly circular opening defining said clamp opening, said means for interconnecting and urging said parts comprising a portion of said integral body between said first and second parts.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 17 words

The instrument of claim 28 wherein at least one of said handles is integral with said body.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 17 words

The instrument of claim 28 wherein said tongue and both said handles are integral with said body.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 151 words

A chin holder for a dental appliance comprising, an elongated tongue adapted to firmly contact a person beneath the chin, and a side opening clamp integral with said tongue, said clamp comprising, a substantially C-shaped body having first and second mutually spaced side legs, at least one of said legs being formed of a resilient material to permit said side legs to be moved away from each other and to urge said side legs toward each other from a displaced position thereof, a first handle on said first leg, and a second handle on said second leg in spaced juxtaposition to said first handle, whereby said handles may be moved relative to each other to move said side legs away from each other and permit said side opening clamp to be attached to, adjusted along, and removed from a vacuum tube of a dental appliance without disturbing the appliance or tube.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 151 words

A chin holder for a dental appliance comprising, an elongated tongue adapted to firmly contact a person beneath the chin, and a side opening clamp integral with said tongue, said clamp comprising, a substantially C-shaped body having first and second mutually spaced side legs, at least one of said legs being formed of a resilient material to permit said side legs to be moved away from each other and to urge said side legs toward each other from a displaced position thereof, a first handle on said first leg, and a second handle on said second leg in spaced juxtaposition to said first handle, whereby said handles may be moved relative to each other to move said side legs away from each other and permit said side opening clamp to be attached to, adjusted along, and removed from a vacuum tube of a dental appliance without disturbing the appliance or tube.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 33 words

The chin holder of claim 31 wherein one of said handles is connected to one of said side legs and extends along and in spaced relation to at least one of said legs.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 39 words

The chin holder of claim 31 wherein said tongue extends in one direction laterally of said clamp body and said handles extend in a second direction laterally of said clamp body and at an angle to said first direction.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 46 words

The chin holder of claim 31 wherein said handles are integral with said clamp body and extend in substantially the same direction from one side of said clamp body, and wherein said tongue extends in an opposite direction from the other side of said clamp body.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 53 words

The chin holder of claim 31 wherein one of said handles is connected to and extends outwardly from an end of one of said side legs, and wherein the other of said handles is connected to the other of said side legs and extends along said intermediate leg toward said one side leg.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1980-04-18	1980-10-18	1981-04-19	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1984-04-18	1984-10-18	1985-04-19	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1988-04-18	1988-10-18	1989-04-19	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Saliva ejector and chin holder therefor

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